President Hildreth Failed Meharry Medical College
In a startling response to the rampant corruption and fraud at Meharry Medical College, at least 10 staff members, including the CFO, were abruptly dismissed last week — a move that raises more questions than answers. In an email to students, faculty, staff, and alumni, Dr. James Hildreth, President and CEO of Meharry Medical College, addressed the situation, stating: “As part of our commitment to preserving and promoting our values and mission, we have made leadership, staffing, and disciplinary decisions — including terminations — that reflect Meharry’s dedication to our legacy of excellence and integrity.”
As a former student, I welcome these overdue changes but reject the narrative being shaped by the administration. Dr. Hildreth’s actions are too little, too late. His leadership failed not only Meharry, but also me and countless students who trusted the institution.
Despite his notable career and the recognition he gained for positioning Meharry at the forefront of Nashville’s response to the pandemic — including being named Nashvillian of the Year — Dr. Hildreth’s true legacy now includes allowing his staff and senior administration to defraud the institution while weaponizing policy and campus police to punish and silence those who dare to voice their dissatisfaction with “the Meharry way”. Under his leadership, I was pushed out of Meharry, interrupting my aspirations to become a psychiatrist.
Despite recent personnel changes, Meharry still lacks effective internal accountability systems. My grievances raised during town halls were largely ignored. When I sought care at the student health center, no one was available, and I was told to go to the ER — this from a school that promotes primary care. This disregard for student voices became painfully evident when I attempted to speak with the president; his secretary called campus police to have me removed from a building I paid to access.
When I tried to address this traumatic experience, the ombudsman at the time, Judge Kimbrough, broke protocol by contacting the legal team before hearing my concerns. (Ombudsmen are supposed to be impartial, serving as neutral facilitators in conflicts.) After I submitted a complaint, Dean Pinnock attempted to dismiss it due to an error I made on the form. Then, Dr. Dexter Samuels, one of the individuals I complained about, was assigned to “investigate” my claims. He used this opportunity to intimidate me, threatening to leverage the policy manual to pressure me into providing information against faculty members. While I didn’t fully understand his defensiveness at the time, I realized that day I had become a target.
The intimidation didn’t stop there; later, his wife, Ivanetta Davis-Samuels, JD, the school’s Senior Vice President and General Counsel, withheld my financial aid. HR proved to be a waste of time, offering no support or resolution. These incidents are just a few examples of how the institution failed me for attempting to advocate for change from within.
After reviewing 20 years of 990 Forms and recognizing the decline of Meharry, I felt compelled to hold certain individuals accountable for exploiting the organization for personal gain and tarnishing its reputation, at the expense of students and the community it serves. Despite students begging for academic, mental health, and financial support in the midst of a global pandemic, the school’s inaction and apathy only exacerbated the issues. I could have kept my head down like my classmates, but my love for Meharry’s mission and its resilient students motivated me to address the systemic issues that led to three students dying by suicide during my first year.
Initially, I chose to remain quiet after I left to protect the historic legacy of Meharry. I didn’t want to speak out while I was still bitter and in pain. Now, I embrace the power of speaking up and holding those in power accountable.
If we evaluated Dr. Hildreth’s success solely based on the funds he has secured for Meharry, he would undoubtedly be considered a visionary leader. However, whether that money reaches its intended goals is another question. While publicly lauded as a champion of health equity during the pandemic, behind closed doors, Dr. Hildreth’s administration has allowed the weaponization of policies and institutional power against those seeking accountability around grant funding and donations.
Despite widespread concerns, we still lack transparency on the outcomes of research conducted at the Center for the Study of Social Determinants of Health, particularly after Meharry’s controversial decision to accept a $7.5 million grant from JUUL Labs — a partnership Dr. Hildreth defended despite widespread criticism. (Historically, Big Tobacco has strategically partnered with Black institutions to gain legitimacy and mitigate backlash, all while disproportionately targeting Black communities with their products.)
Hildreth has effectively abandoned the radical legacy of this institution, prioritizing damage control and endowment growth — despite the ethical and health equity costs — over the needs of the students and the community. Current Meharry seniors are already questioning whether any of the recent $195 million donations will be used for debt relief or scholarships, yet the administration’s silence on this issue speaks volumes.
However, they were vocal in expressing their support for Israel, despite the human rights violations witnessed and experienced by innocent Palestinians, and the 65 doctors, nurses, and Paramedics in Gaza who have shared their stories. Perhaps the $175 million donation from Bloomberg was the the price of our silence on justice and equity. Ironically, this was also the year Meharry launched its inaugural School of Global Health.”
It is likely that a significant portion of the $195 million will be funneled into lucrative severance packages tied to NDAs, legal fees, and settlements for dismissed staff, or used for union-busting efforts (Read: Meharry Legal Team Challenges the Constitutionality of the NLRB), rather than addressing urgent student needs like improved student services, debt relief and scholarships.
President Hildreth Failed Me
If he’s not capable of truth, reconciliation, transparency, and accountability, we need a smooth transition of leadership to ensure the longevity of Meharry’s legacy. The time for accountability is now.
This writing piece is part of an upcoming book about my time as a Meharry Medical College student.
